Millrigg, Culgaith

Millrigg
Culgaith
Nr Penrith
Cumbria

Millrigg is one of those great houses in Cumbria that hides the fact that it may once have been more than simply a house. It sits about half a mile from the A66, and about three quarters a mile north of Temple Sowerby. The house sits on a gentle rise, overlooking the river beneath it. It's thought that the house was built in 1597, possibly as a small pele tower, for Henry and Bridget Birkbeck (as named on a date plate above one of the doors) The same year, the house was sold to John Dalston, who's initials appear on yet another plate above a door at the rear of the building. The Dalston coats of arms also appear above the same door. The house may have an earlier core, although details of the building pre-1597 seem to be almost non-existent.

Later in the 16th century, as the threat of raids from either sides of the border receded, the tower was absorbed into a small collection of outbuildings and additions, until the generic pele tower characteristics were all but gone.

The house is private, but can be viewed clearly from the nearby road.